IN BRIEF

Sewer project underway in Bradenton Beach

Work has begun on Manatee County’s sewer rehabilitation project in Bradenton Beach. Woodruff & Sons Construction is currently working in the Cortez Beach parking lot along Gulf Drive South, from Sixth Street South to 10th Street South. The ongoing phase 1 construction activities will include the installation of a new gravity sewer main in the Cortez Beach parking area from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. These initial construction activities are not expected to significantly affect the flow of traffic along Gulf Drive South and the multi-use trail west of the Cortez Beach parking area remains open. Later this summer, the adjacent cross streets from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South will at various times be entirely closed to vehicular traffic for four to six weeks at a time and those residents and visitors will have to park in designated areas at Cortez Beach. The county project is expected to continue until the fall of 2024. For more information and project updates, visit www.amiprojects.io, click on the “Projects” tab to the left and then select the “Bradenton Beach sewer rehabilitation project.”

City attorney’s services retained

The city of Bradenton Beach has retained the services of City Attorney Ricinda Perry for another year. On Feb. 2, the city commission approved the engagement letter and contract agreement that will pay Perry $220 an hour for her legal services. Perry can also charge the city 3.5% of her city work-related expenses. During Thursday’s meeting, Perry noted the month-to-month contract can be terminated by either party with proper advance notice. When asked, Perry said she believes she’s now serving in her 21st year as the city attorney. Mayor John Chappie thanked Perry for all the work she performed for the city during the past year and in years past. “You’ve done a lot of great things over the years. You were pretty young when you started,” he said. “Thank you. We really do appreciate it. You are amazing.”

Building rezone passes first reading

The old Bank of America building at 699 Manatee Ave. W. may soon be open to more intense commercial uses as owner Bob Bolus is seeking to have the property rezoned from C-1 to C-2. Holmes Beach commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance rezoning the property during a Jan. 24 meeting. If the rezoning effort passes a second and final reading at an upcoming meeting, the options for use of the property will be expanded beyond the office use currently allowed on the site. A C-2 designation would allow the former bank building to be used for retail or restaurant space in addition to office space. Though commissioners weren’t necessarily in favor of approving the rezone, City Attorney Erica Augello pointed out that if Bolus’ application meets all of the requirements in the comprehensive plan for a rezone, the request must be approved by commissioners.